NEWSLETTER October 2009
We live in interesting times, which is the Chinese wish for their enemies but our problems are writ small when one contemplates the world at large. Nevertheless, itches are as troublesome as illness and we continue to deal with those we meet around the Helford.
The new scene follows the establishment of the Unitary Cornwall Council in April and the replacement of Kerrier with a new organisation called West 2, whose Planners are the same officers, working in the same way as they did previously, but with a democratic deficit, insofar as the Officers are delegated to decide 90% of Applications without the need to inform the Public of their existence. Further, the Planning Committee of Councillors to decide the other ‘major’ items has been composed of twelve persons – six each from West 1 (aka Penwith District Council) and West 2 to deal with plans from Mawnan Smith to St. Just, which means a shortage of local knowledge.
WEBSITE: Continuing thanks to Jeff Meadows, it can be visited at www.helfordriver.org. There are also other websites of the River, wellworth visiting for their views and information. In particular, that of www.Preserve Port Navas Quay has raised some adverse comments as to the readability and interest of our own site. It has made us consider what improvements can be made to put our position over to the world at large. Any that members can suggest are welcome. Charles Pugh (340630) is contact for this project.
Sadly, the OYSTERAGE at Port Navas continues to divide the inhabitants,and, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the quay is a major area of contention and the placing of production cages in the main River is another.The latter is the subject of a decision by the Marine Fisheries Agency. Conciliation seems the way forward in order that both sides can prosper. The refurbishment of the three seats on the quay, placed there in 1960 by the village and the positive help with the Regatta shows the Oysterage in a good light.
The CPRE has written to the Duchy about its part in maintaining the environment of the Helford but received a negative reply, which has become standard practice for them. The AONB unit of the Council also tends to concern itself with theory rather than practice, so has not been of much use to us.
For the improvement of ANNA MARIA CREEK, we have now got the Local Government Ombudsman to press the Cornwall Council to deal with the inaction of the previous Kerrier Council in the removal of unauthorised living. Since the same people are still dealing with the matter, we fear the outcome will not be speedily dealt with.
This Complaint is still supported by the Mawnan Parish Council.We are grateful to Stuart Powell (250481) for dealing with this seemingly intractable problem.
We continue to monitor PLANNING APPLICATIONS around the River. Few of major concern have arisen but we are pleased that a renewed Plan at Bosulla in Budock Vean Lane, previously refused on Appeal despite being approved by the Officers but objected to by us, has resulted in a scheme along the lines which we suggested.
A Plan to close the Shipwrights Arms at Helford has met strong objection and is still to be resolved. Conversly, the closure of the Ferry Boat Inn saw it reopened under new management by Ben Wright (with a distinct emphasis on oysters).
The Permission by the departed Kerrier for a Fishermen’s quay and access at Helford village was quashed by a Judicial review but allows Cornwall Council to renew the Application if the matter of Natural England’s permission can be resolved. This is under review.
The GWEEK BOATYARD Enforcement Order is still under Appeal but has to be resolved by the end of the year. We await action.
The RIVER WARDEN Service has started under the control of the Truro Harbour Board and we will have a sight of the log in the autumn.
Robert Williams Chairman Tel 340382 or robert.williams200@virgin.net or Polwheveral Cottage, Constantine, FALMOUTH TR11 5RW